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Meet the Team: Jesse

written by

Bethany Fisher

posted on

January 1, 2025

Hello 2025! Wow…can’t believe another year has gone by. We’re excited to launch into 2025 and keep doing what we’re doing plus get some new things going here at the farm!

For the beginning of the year, we wanted to get a new series going on our blog, reintroducing you to the team at Whiffletree so you can meet all the great people involved in putting food onto your table.

First off in the series is none other than our very own farmer, Jesse Straight!

Here are the questions we asked Jesse...

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Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Warrenton!  Born at Fauquier Hospital!  Started out in Warrenton Lakes, and then moved to New Baltimore when I was 5, and grew up playing in the woods and romping on our neighbor's farm (sledding, squirrel hunting, fort building, camping with friends). I have 3 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. 

What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree?

Liz and I got married the summer after I graduated from UVA.  We stayed and worked in Charlottesville.  I got a job working for Habitat for Humanity.  I did that for a couple years, then I left to work as a carpenter working for a friend-- the 2 of us building quirky spec houses in Charlottesville. 

What inspired you to become a farmer?

Reading Wendell Berry and Joel Salatin.  Visiting farmers, dabbling in some farm enterprises myself.  Loving working outside and being a part of life actually growing forth!  Not many people actually get to work with life growing in front of you!  And learning about how bad conventional food is.  Here was an area where I could do some good. 

What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you?

Running a farm business has really challenged me.  It takes a lot of virtue to be a good boss and colleague.  I want to be a really good boss and worker myself.  And I have weaknesses and shortcomings.  So the challenge of doing the thing I need to do now (not procrastinating the scary thing), and being a good boss challenges me to be a better person. 

How has farming benefited you?

I have loved the work with the animals, plants, and soil, and with Liz and my kids, and with great employees and interns.  It is a privilege to do this work with these great people. 

What do you hope to accomplish through farming?

I hope to raise food that is incredibly tasty, and healthy for our customers, land, animals, and community.  Additionally, in this work I aim to provide for my family.  And like I said above, I hope this work challenges me and helps me to become a better person.

How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here?

In the beginning, I did almost everything!  But of course, we only had a small number of animals and customers.  I did all the chores, all the marketing, all the communication, all the order packing, all the driving, etc.  And it was intense, but also so exciting to be getting going!  My favorite things to do now are: the chores (I love to be outside making animals happy on lush fresh pasture!), talking with and helping customers, strategizing on how to make our processes better, and writing newsletters and making videos to explain what we do and how we do it and why it is so good! 

Most memorable Whiffletree experience?

I have a lot to choose from!  On the rough side, Super Storm Sandy and the crazy storm we got in June of 2022 were very chaotic and tough--infrastructure damaged, animals everywhere, freezers down--all the stressful stuff!  On the upside, I have a ton to pick from, but probably finding my wedding ring in the compost pile after being lost for 10 years!

What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why?

I love the cattle.  They are such incredible animals.  Magical really.  They take grass and water and turn into these beautiful huge animals.  Their 4 chambered stomach is the most amazing and underrated thing ever!  I love to move them to fresh pasture, and hear and see them chomping down the grass! 

Favorite hobby?  Or favorite things you like to do when not working?  

I love cozying up and reading with my kids!  We have read some awesome books!  I love going for walks around the farm with Liz, the kids, and buddies.  I love making trails on the farm.  Me with a chainsaw and my kids or buddies, making trails is my favorite day.  I love playing pickleball and pingpong.  I love watching soccer.  I love bonfires.  I love getting friends together for all the above, and for the hot tub/cold plunge experience.  I love playing with my little kids--chasing them around and getting them riled up. 

Favorite food?

Thanksgiving dinner, steak caesar salad, fried chicken. 

Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item?

Steak and grilled chicken!

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And that’s Jesse Straight…say hi to him if you see him around the farm!

More from the blog

Delicious Garlic Parmesean Wings

Garlic and parmesan - a match made in heaven. Wings are one of the easiest cuts to prep and absorb so much flavor. This recipe uses turkey wings, which are cheaper and meatier than chicken wings, but you could definitely substitute chicken wings! It takes about 15 minutes total to prep,then you pop them in the oven or on the grill, and dinner is served! Ingredients: 2ct turkey wings (mine weighed about a lb each) ¼ cup butter, melted 3 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup finely grated fresh parmesan Salt and pepper to taste Parsley (optional, but makes a nice and tasty garnish) 1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet (necessary to keep the wings off the pan to create airflow, which creates a nice crisp skin - the best part of wings!). 2. Melt your butter over low heat. Then add in your minced garlic and let cook until it is starting to brown and is fragrant. Remove from heat. 3. Pat your wings dry with a paper towel and set on the wire rack. Using a pastry brush, slather your garlic butter all over the wings. Next, sprinkle salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. 4. Place pan on middle rack in oven, and cook for about forty-five minutes to an hour, or until the skin is nice and crispy and the meat comes easily off the bone. 5. Sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the wings and place back in the oven for a minute to let the cheese melt a bit. 6. Serve with the parsley garnish and whatever sauce you prefer! My favorite to pair these with is a garlic aioli. ~~~~~ I love big, bold flavors, and I love how quick this recipe was to whip up after a day at work. I also like using turkey wings since you don’t need as many to make it a filling meal, and the bonus is they’re cheaper than chicken wings! A great side dish to serve with these is homemade sweet potato fries, which are super easy to make! You can cook them in the oven with the wings, and they’ll both be done around the same time. Great for saving time and making a well rounded, satisfying meal! Cheers! ~Bethany